Council Reports and Forms
International Activities Committee of Council
INTERNATIONALIZATION AT THE UNIVERSITY OF SASKATCHEWAN
MISSION STATEMENT
Approved by Council
June 15, 2000
RATIONALE AND OBLIGATIONS
Universities, are by necessity, rooted in a particular place and society. Yet, they must constantly
seek to forge links across cultures, to broaden knowledge, and to meet varied responsibilities to
society. The University of Saskatchewan responds to these demands by connecting to diverse
cultures, societies and landscapes, and meeting responsibilities inherent in serving the needs of a
varied constituency that includes a significant population of Aboriginal peoples. To do this, the
University must also be a global institution engaged in issues and roles that transcend borders
and embrace diversity. Our students, our research and our commitment to service needs to be
informed, challenged and enthused by the links between our international and local perspectives.
Internationalization of the University of Saskatchewan implies adopting an international
dimension into the key functions of our institutions. It means a deliberate transformation of how
we conduct research, teach our students, learn from each other and how we are of service to our
communities. Internationalization must be based on a commitment to work toward reducing the
inequities that exist both among and within nations, respect for cultural diversity and
environmental health, and protection for diverse forms of knowledge and local resources and
initiatives.
Several vital obligations will guide the process of internationalization:
Education: Our students must be prepared to meet the challenges of an increasingly connected,
but continually fragmented, world through exposure to the broadest possible knowledge in their
area of study. Part of that preparation must consist of an understanding of the responsibilities
inherent in a more integrated world, along with the opportunities and challenges it presents. The
University must prepare students to be competent in diverse settings. Competence requires that
students have not only the requisite understanding of subject areas, but also a deep respect for
different cultures, approaches and forms of knowledge, and ability to integrate the two.
Research: Our research must be informed by knowledge from around the world. Whenever
possible, our international research should be collaborative, pursued through effective
partnerships, and the results shared or made available in the societies and locales in which that
research was carried out. The University must adopt deliberate measures to ensure that research
finds its way back to the classroom.
Service: The University, like our students, must recognize the responsibilities it has to be of
service in broad ways in distinct locales throughout the world. Our responsibilities to service do
not end at the borders of Saskatchewan or Canada.
To meet these obligations, the University must act on different fronts:
a. enhance the breadth and diversity of views, cultures and knowledge bases in our classrooms;
b. provide students with opportunities to study and engage in experiential learning outside of
Canada and to bring what is learned outside of Canada to the classroom when they return;
c. build effective partnerships with communities close to us and around the world;
d. encourage research by our faculty, students and partners around the world, and assist the
application of that research by our faculty, students and partners around the world, and assist the
application of that research in a responsible manner;
e. encourage opportunities for students and professionals from around the world to study and
teach here, and to share their knowledge to enrich our classes;
f. embrace whenever possible all opportunities for promoting justice, reducing inequities,
building respect and honoring diversity.
GOALS AND OBJECTIVES
The goal of internationalization of the University of Saskatchewan is to integrate an international
dimension into its education, research and service activities in order to prepare the University
community to live and work in an increasingly interdependent world. University
internationalization would promote global cooperation where human survival, social justice,
environmental integrity and humanitarianism prevail, while contributing to Canada�s
academic, cultural, economic, scientific and technological excellence.
Toward this end, the University of Saskatchewan must work toward fuller implementation of the
following objectives:
1. to commit senior leadership, internal funding and organizational support to the enhancement
of internationalization;
2. to infuse curriculum in graduate and undergraduate courses with international and intercultural
material, ethically refracting global diversity;
3. to establish and maintain more opportunities for long term study and work abroad, including
such initiatives as terms abroad, exchange agreements and work practica;
4. to encourage and value international courses and experiences for Canadian students,
exchanges that include a phase of knowledge-sharing upon return;
5. to promote faculty and staff study, research and work abroad through individual, institutional
and national programs, whereby participants contribute to University internationalization upon
return,
6. to provide a welcoming and supportive environment for international students and other
learners (researchers, interns, visiting faculty) to share their knowledge and to be a resource and
catalyst for internationalization during their stay;
7. to promote foreign language study for development of functional skills and cultural
appreciation;
8. to seek international development projects, supported by external funding, that provide
opportunities to cooperate with foreign counterparts, and exchange technical assistance for
capacity-building of partners;
9. to develop institutional cooperation agreements, connecting institutions for mutually beneficial
academic and service purposes;
10. to encourage research to enhance internationalization that complies with community, national
and international standards and protocols for conducting ethical research, and collaborates in
effective global partnerships producing knowledge for widespread dissemination and setting up
centers of excellence with an international focus;
11. to emphasize in course work and projects internationally relevant area and thematic studies
that reflect cross-disciplinary faculty expertise and enhance international relationships;
12. to provide cross-cultural education and training to promote a proper valuing of cultural
diversity and intolerance to racism;
13. to foster extra-curricular activities and institutional services such as various associations,
events, offices that educate, support and communicate the obligations and opportunities
attending internationalization within and beyond the University;
14. to extend a concern about international social justice to all aspects of the University's
operations.